6.5x55 vs 260 vs 7-08

[ArmedBear]

By the numbers, the .260 is the best round. Fits in a standard short action rifle, which the Swede doesn't. Shoots flat, starts with less energy than 7mm-08 so it has even less recoil, but it retains energy better, so .260 hits the target just as hard as the 7mm out at rifle distances.

However, 7mm-08 is the easiest to find on a gun store shelf if you don't reload, or want the option of buying a box of hunting ammo. And it might be easier to find a rifle chambered in the Swede than .260.

The real bummer about the Swede is that, if you buy it in a modern American bolt rifle, it's usually in a mismatched long action (.30-06 length). For some reason, that doesn't sit well with me.

 

[Bartkowski]

Why do you mind the extra length of the bolt? It adds a few ounces, if that and doesn't make the gun much longer.

 

[ArmedBear]

I have a .30-06 with a 24" barrel. I don't especially mind a long action. But if I'm going to get a long-action gun, I have a lot of cartridge options that have merit, nearly all of which are more common than the Swede. And if I'm going to reload, the .260 is every bit as good, so that isn't a real selling point for the Swede, either.

I hunt in mountains with thick brush. If I get a short-action round, it's because I want a shorter, lighter gun with a shorter barrel and action, and every ounce and inch actually does count, since they add up. I also want a shorter, lighter scope, which either won't fit on a long action, or doesn't have any leeway for adjusting eye relief.

I know people love their cartridges. The 6.5 Swede, the 16 Gauge, the .41 Magnum all have their strong adherents -- no, zealots. But I'm not much of a zealot.

That doesn't mean they're not good rounds. However, the .260 Remington is every bit as good as the Swede, but it fits in a short action. That's a plus, for me. If I want a long action, I can just get a .270 that fits perfectly in it, and save money and headaches.

 

[MCgunner]

I'm sorta a 7mm guy. I've never got the hots for 6.5 for some reason. I had a 7x57 for a while and have a 7 Rem Mag now that I like. It's people like me that have killed the popularity of the 6.5 in America, I guess, LOL! I'm not really stuck on a given bullet caliber, though, way too boring. I have a .30, a .25, and a 7. Next, i've been thinking about a .45....as in .45-70. WHY, you ask??? I'm thinkin' it'd be cool not to have to buy bullets, cast my own hunting bullets. No need for expansion if they're pre-expanded. I had a chance at buying a Siamese Mauser so chambered, but didn't trust the quality of the work for what he wanted for the gun. But, a bolt gun so chambered can be pushed pretty hot.

Toss out your 6.5mm BCs and SDs with the .45s, though. ROFL! Every caliber has its strengths and weaknesses I guess.

The question of brass is a non issue in a big game rifle where a hundred pieces of brass can last a long time, Particularly when the brass is something that you can make if necessary.

Well, it'd be easy to make the 7-08 by necking cheap surplus .308. And, yeah, it lasts a long time if all you do is sight in with a few shots and fire one at a deer every year. I like to shoot my guns once in a while and my .308 is sort of a do all gun . I hunt deer, hog, coyote, anything bigger than a rabbit or squirrel with it. It gets fired, lets just say. But, brass is really cheap and it's way easy to load. That's one of the things I like about the gun, plus, unlike belted magnums, I actually enjoy shooting it. One thing about ALL three choices is they're going to be easy on the shoulder and incourage you to shoot them. They will be fun to shoot a lot with.

 

[pete f]

My comment about brass not mattering that much was its 50 cents a piece for Lapua 6.5 swede, 37 cents for rem 260 and 7-08, and 55 cents for Nosler .260. so the cost difference between 400 cases of 6.5 and 400 cases of 260 0r 7-08 from Rem is about 50 bucks. I don't know how much you shoot your heavy varminter/hunting rifle, but 4000 shots is going to last me a long time, and for 50 dollars difference, its not going to be the straw that broke the camels back. (4000 shots based on getting 10 reloads per case, which is a chinch with 6.5 swede, and predictable with the others.

you can make 260 out of .308 just as easy as 7-08, as the wildcat name for 260 was 6.5x.308.

6.5 swede will be available for another 110 years, so I would not worry about it drying up.

 

[stalkingbear]

7mm08

I honestly believe that the 7mm08 is perhaps the greatest deer cartridge ever designed and still marketed. I'm a 7mm diameter bullet fan anyway however.

 

[Baba Louie]

Float Pilot... thanks a lot man. Now I'm gonna be up all night trying to find something out about that little Svedish SAW/BAR. That is simply beautiful. One of the nice things about Swedish mil-surplus, like the Swiss, they saw hardly any action other than training and armories.

Back to the topic at hand... Pick one. Love it for what it is. It's history, availability on shelves anywhere, it's reloading, action/barrel length, etc. They are all precise (notice I didn't say accurate ) and fun to shoot in the rifle of your choice.

Me? I'm still looking for the magical, mythical un bubba'd M94 Carbine for $250 (or less) at someone's garage sale. (an old boy can dream can't he?)

 

[Snapping Twig]

I'd be all over the 7mm-08.

Right now I shoot a 6.5-06 which I've had for 20 years. Obviously I have to reload for it.

I like 6.5-06 A LOT, but for off the shelf availability and downrange performance, based on the selections listed, I'd have to go with the 7mm-08 with the runner up being the .260 Rem so long as you reload.

 

[skinewmexico]

Guns with easy to find ammo are boring. And I can't believe the big deal people make about saving an inch of hollow steel on their reciever.

 

[crackerjack]

I shot 6.5x55 in a modern remington and winchester rifles for years . Shot a 7/08 for a couple years also . I have since settled on 260rem as my perferred choice . I do reload all my ammo and there are plenty of quality 6.5 bullets availabe in a wide range of weights (95g to 160g) for the reloader . Brass can be made for the .260 from .243 win (requires being properly marked and careful handling if one opts to do so) . There is not a bad choice on any of these calibers they all have their individual merits and limitations be it recoil, action lenght, or factory ammo availability . For the handloader the .260 is very diverse.
Frank

 

[Bigfoot]

Ok I'll split these hairs also. Why not. Viking still hasn't told what game he shots and at what range so here goes.


For light recoil from a light deer rifle the 260 with 100 grain bullets.

For long distance shooting the Swede has a bit more capacity. It usually has the faster twist barrel and the longer throat for the long, high BC bullets.

For elk hunting choose the 7mm08 for the heavy bullets.



Or you could just flip a coin.

 

[Slamfire]

In a modern action, you can get a little more from a 6.5x55 than a 260, but the Swede requires a long action vs a short for the 260.

The Rem 700 action in 6.5 X 55 is within an eighth of an inch of the Rem 700 in 30-06. I measured from receiver ring to the back of the bolt sleeve. Though the 30-06 bolt would close in the 6.5, the 6.5 bolt would not close in the 30-06. Maybe it is nothing.

The Win 70 classic in 6.5 X 55 is a short action. I did not lay it out on the floor, but the action "looks" to be the exact same length as my M70 Classic target rifle in 308. Dimensions as given in a 1999 Shooter's bible show all the Winchester short action rifles, including the 6.5 X 55, to be 1/2" shorter OAL than a 30-06.

There was no such thing as a short action in the pre 64. The magazine was shorter and the bolt stop was longer. But the action was the same length for all cartridges.

I would assume, given modern actions, and a greater case capacity, the 6.5 X 55 could be driven faster than a .260 Remington.

Am I wrong on this?

 

[skinewmexico]

Well, you could burn more powder. I don't know that the little bit of velocity would make that much of a difference.

There is an easy answer to this question. Buy all three. It's the only manly thing to do.

 

[Ol` Joe]

I would assume, given modern actions, and a greater case capacity, the 6.5 X 55 could be driven faster than a .260 Remington.

I once measured a Remington 6.5x55 and 260 Rem cases for water capasity and found 3grs difference, as I recall, in favor of the 6.5 Swede. That relates to maybe 50 fps max in favor of the Swede at equal pressure in both cartridges with same wgt bullets.
This followed my results in loading for both cartridges in the max load velocities I have found, useing a Kimber M84/260, M700 DM/260, Mark X/6.5x55, M96/6.5x55, and Remington Classic M700/6.5x55. For all intents and purposes they are ballistic twins. There is more difference at times in velocity spread between shots then I found between velocity averages in some of the rifles with same BBL lenghts.
Nosler and Speer note in their manuals the loads are for "modern rifles" and need to be reduced for older rifles. Speer states they load to 50K CUP in their manual and notes the SAAMI Std is 46K CUP / 51K psi. The 50K CUP is likely very close to the 60K PSI of the 260 Rem. Nosler gives no pressures in theirs.

BTW; I haven`t recorded pressures in all the rifles listed, but I do have a strain gage on the M700 DM and Mark X. The max I load to in both is very similar but not "exactly equal".

 

[GunTech]

One thing to consider. In my experience it is much easier to find 7mm bullets at you local gun shop than 6.5. The 7mm-08 is just a repackaging of the 7x57, perhaps the greatest hunting round ever. I still like 6.5, but there are plenty of arguments in favor of the 7mm

 

[atblis]

Hmm

The Rem 700 action in 6.5 X 55 is within an eighth of an inch of the Rem 700 in 30-06.

They should be the same length. I highly doubt Remington made a special action just for the 700 Classic in 6.5x55.

The real bummer about the Swede is that, if you buy it in a modern American bolt rifle, it's usually in a mismatched long action (.30-06 length). For some reason, that doesn't sit well with me.

I wouldn't call that a bummer. Just load the 6.5x55 to 30-06 length. Interesting thought isn't it, that the case is for holding powder, not bullets. Interestingly enough, the mag box on my M96s are long enough to load them to about that length.

I would assume, given modern actions, and a greater case capacity, the 6.5 X 55 could be driven faster than a .260 Remington.

Absolutely. Especially if you're using 140s, and loading long.

 

[ZeroJunk]

The difference in BC between a 6.5 MM and 7MM is such that a 120 grain bullet at 3000 FPS would be about 1/2 inch lower at 400 yards with the 7MM. But,if you reload you can shoot the 7MM-08 about 150-200 FPS faster than the 6.5 MMX55 with equal weight bullets.
The 6.5MM x 55 is popular right now but I don't see the logic in making any special effort to find one.

 

[GunTech]

The factory loaded 6.5x55 is fairly low pressure so that it is safe in older, small rings Mausers - around 55,000 PSI. You can safely load the 6.5x55 to at least 60,000 PSI in a modern action. Velocity differences between the two cartridges when handloaded are negligible

 

[ZeroJunk]

Velocity differences between the two cartridges when handloaded are negligible

Perhaps.But,even the latest Sierra manual shows a 200 FPS advantage for the 7MM-08 with a 140 grain bullet.Which means the reloader is going to have to exceed the manual information,which many are reluctant to do.

 

[USSR]

The Win 70 classic in 6.5 X 55 is a short action. I did not lay it out on the floor, but the action "looks" to be the exact same length as my M70 Classic target rifle in 308. Dimensions as given in a 1999 Shooter's bible show all the Winchester short action rifles, including the 6.5 X 55, to be 1/2" shorter OAL than a 30-06.

Nope, the Winchester M70 Classic is a long action. I know, because I built my 6.5x55 F Class rifle from a used M70 Classic Featherweight.

I would assume, given modern actions, and a greater case capacity, the 6.5 X 55 could be driven faster than a .260 Remington.

Am I wrong on this?

That is correct. With 48.0gr of RL22, I can drive a 142SMK at 2950fps. 260Rem's have trouble reaching 2900fps.

Don

 

[Ol` Joe]

The difference in BC between a 6.5 MM and 7MM is such that a 120 grain bullet at 3000 FPS would be about 1/2 inch lower at 400 yards with the 7MM. But,if you reload you can shoot the 7MM-08 about 150-200 FPS faster than the 6.5 MMX55 with equal weight bullets.

I agree to a point with the drop figures at the same velocities, but in real world conditions it is a moot difference between the two cartridges.

The Nosler 5th Edition shows the following for the 7-08 and 6.5x55. The RCBS load program I have also gives very similar terminal numbers.

The 708 with a 120 gr BT at the manuals max load of 3180fps drops 22" @ 400 yds. The remaining vel is 2316 fps.

The 6.5x55 with a 120 gr BT at the book max of 3000 fps drops 25" and keeps 2221 fps at 400 yd.

The 708 140 gr Partition-book max of 2922 fps drops 28" and has 2103 fps vel at 400 yd.

The Swede 140 Partition- 2790 fps drops 29" and keeps 2105 fps at 400yd.

Notice at 400 yd the 140 gr 6.5 bullet actually exceeds the 7-08s remaining velocity and the 120 gr 6.5 has come close to 100 fps of the 7-08 120. No animal on earth will know the difference in 100 fps bullet speed when hit nor will 99.9% of the shooters see any difference in drop, wind drift or killing ability for it. I`m not saying one is better then the other, I have both and use them in the field. I don`t though see or feel there is any true difference in them with 150 gr on down bullet wgts on game or paper. They recoil the same as far as I can tell and show the same effect on game that I`ve observed.

BTW the velocity given in the manual was from a 26" barrel for the 7-08 and a 23" barreled Swede. Yup! The Swede had 3 inches less barrel lenght and still ran a good race with the 708.
Also I rounded the velocity of both cartridges to the nearest 100 fps for drop and velocity figures. The actual velocties were in all cases within ~30fps of the rounded figure used.

 

[ZeroJunk]

Sierra use a 29 1/2 inch barrel and still came up 200 FPS short on 140 grain loads.

But,they apparently as I read it, stayed under 45000 PSI. So,in modern rifles that leaves a whole lot of wiggle room.

As this thread indicates,there is not a lot of difference in these cartridges.

 

[viking499]

Bigfoot - I use mine for deer and coyotes. And a groundhound every once in awhile for fun

 

[GunTech]

The only real difference is that for the same bullet weight, the 6.5 will have a BC advantage over the 7mm. That's generally true comparing any bullet. If two have the same weight and construction, the smaller caliber will almost always have a better BC.

Most people won't notice the difference unless they are shooting match bulets at a long distance. As noted, it's generally easier to find 7mm bullets at the local gunshop. But 6.5 tends to have a wide range of relatively high BC hunting bullets

 

[Slamfire]

The Win 70 classic in 6.5 X 55 is a short action. I did not lay it out on the floor, but the action "looks" to be the exact same length as my M70 Classic target rifle in 308. Dimensions as given in a 1999 Shooter's bible show all the Winchester short action rifles, including the 6.5 X 55, to be 1/2" shorter OAL than a 30-06

.

Nope, the Winchester M70 Classic is a long action. I know, because I built my 6.5x55 F Class rifle from a used M70 Classic Featherweight.

Don, the magazine box is too short for a 30-06. Winchester must have made the classic M70 in two action lengths.

I have lots of IMR 4350. 43.0 grains of the stuff with a 140 Hornady Spire Point gave me a velocity of 2429 fps. Tested it last weekend. Any ideas of how much more 4350 I can put in that case with a 140?